Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard was a Louisiana-born general of the Confederate States Army. He had graduated second in his class from West Point in 1838 and was an admirer of Napoleon. He achieved fame early in the Civil War for commanding the Fort Sumter bombardment and as the victor of the first battle of Manassas. He later served in the Western Theater (including Shiloh and Corinth), Charleston, and the defense of Richmond, but his career was hampered by friction with Jefferson Davis and other generals.
This is one of approximately 1000 military telegrams in P.G.T. Beauregard’s papers at the Rosenbach.
Transcript:
Memphis, Tenn, March 15. 1862
By telegram from Humboldt March 15, 1862
To Genl Polk + Genl Beauregard
Just sent following from Memphis.
New Madrid evacuated Thursday night
Fighting Thursday between artillery Confederates got best of it
Information read that night of Siegel’s arrival with forty thousand reinforcements Jeff Thompson passed through lines and brought information. Confederates decided to evacuate. Portion went up to island 10 part do so to Tiptonville. Small arms + most ammunition saved. Artillery lost. 9 confederate transports at island our gun boats at Tiptonville. Enemy below Point Pleasant on west Bank.
Kater
Opr
Citation:Kater, telegram to Leonidas Polk and G. T. Beauregard. Humboldt.,15 March 1862. AMs 1168/11